Choi Clashes With Woods for Second Straight Title

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Sun, December 10, 2023 | 06:47

Choi Clashes With Woods for Second Straight Title

Posted : 2008-01-23 17:38

Updated : 2008-01-23 17:38

Choi Kyoung-ju, right, eyes back-to-back PGA Tour event titles at the Buick Invitational in San Diego, Calif., while Tiger Woods tries to defend his tournament title for four years in a row. / Korea Times File

By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter

Choi Kyoung-ju of South Korea is going into the Tiger's den hoping to snatch his second straight PGA Tour event title, as world No. 1 Tiger Woods arrives at his season premiere, the Buick Invitational in San Diego, Calif.

After taking a wire-to-wire win at the Sony Open in Hawaii two weeks ago, which branded Choi one of four players to win at least one PGA event in four consecutive years, following Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson, the 37-year-old is laboring to follow up the victory at the $5.2 million contest, where Woods has made his season debut for three consecutive years and is the three-time defending champion.

Despite Choi's poor history at the competition ― a tie for 18th is his best mark in seven attempts, including three cutoffs ― he is considered one of a few candidates to stop Woods' winning stretch.

The native of Wando, South Jeolla Province, brandished long-distance shots, which were his weak point during most of his career, in Hawaii, while his iron shots and putting were flawless enough to dominate the rest of the field.

What's better is, in 2002, he carded a seven-under-par 65 in a round at the South Course at Torrey Pines, the host of the Buick Invite and this year's U.S. Open in June.

However, even for the rising Choi, it is still a tall order to defeat reigning champion Woods at the course, which has been one of his favorites since he played there in the Junior World Championships and won his division title in 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. He also holds a course record of 62 set in 1999,

Along with the three-peat, the 32-year-old American golfer has added two more trophies to his dazzling career in 10 appearances without finishing out of the top 10 since he turned pro in 1996.

The 61-time PGA Tour winner will tie for fourth with legendary Arnold Palmer for the most wins if he makes it four Buick Invite titles in a row.

San Diego native Mickelson is another barrier on Choi's way to his back-to-back titles. The lefty has appeared in this tournament 16 times and won three championships. The 37-year-old world No. 2 also ranked in the top 10 eight times.

Along with the top two golfers, other high-profile players will battle for top honors. No. 4 Jim Furyk, 2004 winner John Daly and Singh have shown potential to capture a victory.

The tournament fields five other golfers with Korean heritage ― Yang Yong-eun, Kevin Na, Charlie Wi, Anthony Kim and Park Jin.

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr